Daurian Redstart

The sound of hitting flints together.

Scientific name	Phoenicurus auroreu
English name	Daurian Redstart
Japanese name	Jobitaki
Classification	Aves
Classification details	Passeriformes Muscicapidae
Full length	14cm
Distribution	All over Japan (winter birds)

Characteristics

A small winter bird with a distinctive orange tail. It has white spots on the base of its wings. Males and females have different colors. Males have a black face and silvery white head, while females are light brown overall. It has a strong territorial awareness and flies around the territory alone. It makes a "hi, ki" sound or makes a "kakka" sound. The sound is similar to that of striking flint, so it is called "fire burning." "Jou" means "jou" and comes from the male's silvery head.

Ecology

They live in forests on flatlands and low mountains, and can also be seen in parks in urban areas. Spends the non-breeding season in Japan, and both males and females have their own territories. It has a habit of shouting and rejecting other redstarts from its territory. It eats insects and spiders on trees and on the ground. They are not very wary of humans and can observe them from a distance of several meters.

Habitat

I met along the Yudono River. The whole area was like a territory, jumping from tree to tree. It seems that there is a branch that it likes, and it flies around within the territory of about 10m in width, and then comes back to the same branch. I was able to get closer and observe them as they sat still on the river bank.